Optimal Installation of Heat Pumps in Large District Heating Networks

Martina Capone, Elisa Guelpa () and Vittorio Verda
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Martina Capone: Energy Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
Elisa Guelpa: Energy Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
Vittorio Verda: Energy Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: Power-to-heat technology represents a promising solution for the decarbonization of the energy sector. The installation of large-scale heat pumps within district heating systems is widely recognized to be a cost-effective and competitive way to provide flexibility to the electric system, enhancing the use of intermittent renewable energy sources. The goal of this paper is to show how the economic and environmental benefits provided by the installation of a large-scale heat pump in existing district heating systems vary according to the installation location in different scenarios. To do that, an integrated methodology is developed. This includes a physical model of the thermo-fluid dynamic of the district heating network and a detailed modeling of the heat pump. To compare the different positions and also the different operating conditions, an approach based on exergy analysis is adopted. Moreover, a specific control strategy of the mass-flow rate is analyzed to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The application to a real large-scale district heating network shows that reductions in CO 2 emissions of almost 4% can be obtained by installing a single heat pump of about 4 MWe (over a total thermal load of about 305 MWt), while this positive effect can be reduced by up to 63% if placing the heat pump at non-optimal locations.

Keywords: power-to-heat; district heating system; smart energy system; electric grid; thermal fluid dynamic; thermal network model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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